Thiruvananthapuram: The ordeal of the thousands of families as part of the land acquisition of the proposed Thiruvananthapuram outer ring road (ORR) has come to an end with the high court granting Centre four weeks’ time to clarify the status of the cabinet nod for the project.The court was hearing a petition filed by five landowners seeking completion of acquisition proceedings and disbursal of compensation. During the hearing on Thursday, the additional solicitor general of India sought four weeks to ascertain the progress made in taking a decision on the project by the cabinet committee on economic affairs. The court subsequently posted the case to Nov 27.Sources said the project is likely to get cabinet approval within this period.The petitioners have sought directions to finalise the acquisition proceedings relating to their properties covered by the 3D notification under National Highways Act, pass the awards and disburse compensation while the writ petition remains pending. The respondents include Union govt, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the state govt, the district collector and land acquisition authorities.The court’s order comes amid prolonged uncertainty over the project. However, the order does not expressly direct the authorities to complete the acquisition or disburse compensation within the four-week period.The 62.7-km greenfield highway, designated NH 866, is planned to connect Vizhinjam International Seaport with Navaikulam, linking the port to the national highway network. The project is expected to improve freight connectivity, ease congestion on existing roads and support infrastructure development in the capital region.Around 6,500 landowners are affected by the acquisition process. Several have been waiting for compensation after their properties were brought under acquisition for the project. The prolonged delay has raised concerns over the financial difficulties faced by affected families and the escalation of land acquisition costs.S Chandramohan Nair, convener of the outer ring road action council, which represents affected landowners, said the prolonged delay had caused hardship to families waiting for compensation.“Centre and the state authorities should resolve the pending issues without further delay and provide a clear timeline for payment,” he said.An NHAI official said the project was awaiting the necessary approval from Centre and that the acquisition process would move forward based on decisions taken by the competent authorities.The ORR has obtained the environment clearance from Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change.The development is significant for the long-delayed project, which has been held up by environmental and land acquisition issues. The proposed greenfield highway, designated as NH 866, is envisaged as a high-speed, access-controlled corridor linking Vizhinjam International Seaport with NH 66 at Navaikulam, near the Kollam border. The project is aimed at easing congestion in the capital city and creating better connectivity to the port and emerging growth centres around Thiruvananthapuram.
